TIM BAINES, QMI Agency

OTTAWA - Many, many years back as a player competing at the Ontario high school rugby championship, I bought a T-shirt. It read: Elegant violence -- Rugby players eat their dead.

OK, it's not quite that bad. Really, it's a beautiful game.

There wasn't any visible evidence of cannibalism Wednesday night at Twin Elm Park, but there was plenty of thumping as the smaller Canadian side, 13th-ranked in the world, stood up to and beat a strong 16th-ranked Fiji side 20-18.

Down 11-10 at halftime, Canada grounded the Flying Fijians in the second half.

Substitute Ray Barkwell barged in for a try that proved to be the winning points.

The best run of the night probably went to Canada's Taylor Paris, who dashed almost the length of field, but couldn't control the ball as he touched down beyond the line.